Boy · 74th of 6,773
Gene
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
133,809
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1928
Peak Popularity Year
3,311
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gene stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Gene is a name of Greek origin, meaning 'well-born' or 'noble'. It evolved from the Latin Eugenius and the English Eugene. The name conveys traits of creativity and intelligence. It does not have biblical relevance, and it became popular in the early 20th century. Notable variants include Eugene and Gino, and it is currently viewed positively.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒiːn/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
The name Gene is derived from the Greek word 'genos', meaning 'race' or 'family'. It is often considered a short form of Eugene.
Meaning
well-born, noble
Language Evolution
Eugenius (Latin), Eugene (English), Gene (modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Gene gained popularity in the early 20th century as a standalone name, particularly in the United States.
Variants & Derivatives
Eugene, Eugenia, Gino
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gene is perceived as a classic and timeless name, often associated with creativity and intelligence.
Famous People
Gene Kelly (American dancer, actor, and choreographer), Gene Simmons (American musician and co-founder of the band Kiss), Gene Roddenberry (American television screenwriter and producer, creator of Star Trek)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,311 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 10 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 156th of 7545 | 16,057 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 74th of 6773 | 52,312 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 150th of 7552 | 38,402 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 275th of 10718 | 12,315 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 564th of 16616 | 4,768 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1410th of 24088 | 1,656 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1976th of 23106 | 906 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 506th of 9107 | 3,268 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 699th of 9204 | 1,899 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1335th of 12526 | 1,135 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3614th of 19264 | 283 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7894th of 27321 | 142 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 20356th of 35406 | 38 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 19915th of 30306 | 26 |